PRODUCTION GUIDELINE

agriculture,
forestry & fisheries
Department:
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
Notes

PRODUCTION GUIDELINE

January 2014

Directorate: Plant Production

Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

2014 Notes
Design and layout by
Directorate Communication Services
Private Bag X144, Pretoria 0001

Disclaimer
This document has been compiled by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and
Fisheries and every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and thoroughness
of the information contained herein and the department cannot be held responsible for
any errors, omissions or inaccuracies in such information and data, whether inadvertent
or otherwise. The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries therefore
accepts no liability that can be incurred resulting from the use of this information.
5.3 Harvesting methods
The flowers are harvested by hand, using sharp secateurs/scissors. After Contents
flowering, the stalks should be cut before the plants produce seeds as these
will drain necessary nutrients for flowering for next season. When the flowers
1. Classification 1
are harvested, they remain fresh for up to a week in a vase.
2. Background 1
3. Climatic and soil requirements 1
6. Uses 4. Cultural practices 2
5. Pest and disease control 4
The flower draws its primary uses as a beautiful garden plant. The flower is
6. Uses 6
used to add value to homes as it creates a lovely curb appeal.
7. Acknowledgements 6
8. Reference 6
7. Acknowledgements 9. Contact details 6
Appreciation is hereby extended to Directorate: AIS (Library) under the
Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries for providing us with rel-
evant sources of information

8. Reference

D , G. 2002. Grow Agapanthus. Kirstenbosch Gardening, National

Botanical Institute, Cape Town.

D P , N. D , G. 1989. Bulbous plants of southern Africa. A guide to

their cultivation and propagation. Tafelberg, Cape Town.

J , W.P.U. 1990. Origins and meanings of names of South African plant

genera. University of Cape Town Printing Dept., Cape Town.

L , F.M. 1965. The genus Agapanthus L’Heritier. Journal of South African

Botany, suppl. vol. no. 4. National Botanic Gardens, Cape Town.

9. Contact details
Directorate Plant Production
Private Bag X250
Pretoria
0001
Tel.: +27 12 319 6072
Fax.: +27 12 319 6079
E-mail: Thabo.Ramashala@daff.gov.za
Website: www.daff.gov.za

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 Control measures
It is not fatal to the plant and there is no cure. Botrytis resistant varieties are
available.

(b) Powdery mildew

Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that appears as dusty-grey or white cir-
cles on plant surfaces. The coating expands and grows together, producing a
mat of mildew.
Control measures
Powdery mildew can be pre-
vented by spraying sulphur fun-
gicide or neem oil on the plants
before the infection is too wide-
spread. All infected leaves or
branches should be collected
and destroyed. The plants
should receive enough air circu-
lation to reduce humidity.

(c) Tomato spotted wilt virus

The tomato spotted wilt virus in-
fects the plants occasionally. Symptoms of tomato spotted wilt virus include
irregular blotches, concentric rings, line patterns, and streaks on the leaves.
The virus causes the plants to become severely stunted and fail to flower.
Young plants may turn brown and collapse. The virus is transmitted by thrips,
tiny insects with fringed wings.
Control measures
The tomato spotted wilt virus can be prevented by spraying insecticidal soap
and controlling weeds near the plants.

(d) Fungus Macrophoma

The fungus Macrophoma attacks the foliage, causing the leaves to die back.
Symptoms of the fungus Macrophoma include dead leaf tips, and lighter green
olive leaves in the middle of the plant.
Control measures
Fungus Macrophoma can be prevented by a fungicide containing mancozeb
or captab

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 herbicides label instructions should be followed to avoid contamination. Pref- 1. Classification
erably registered chemicals should be used for effective weed control.
Kingdom: Plantae
Family: Agapanthaceae
5. Pest and disease control Genus: Agapanthus
5.1 Pests Species: Praecox
African names: African lily; Lily of the Nile; African Blue; Bloulelie; Agapant
The plants are generally pest and disease free. The foliage may be attacked
by red spider mites, thrips and mealy bug, however spraying only becomes (Afrikaans); Isicakathi (isiXhosa); Ubani (isiZulu)
necessary if infestations are severe.
2. Background
(a) Snail
2.1 Origin and distribution
The plants are infamous for harbouring snails, although the snails do not
seem to cause any great damage to the plants. Agapanthus plants are perennials most prevalent in the Western United
States, but can be found throughout most parts of the world. The name
Control measures
Agapanthus comes from the Greek words agape (meaning love) and anthos
The best way to combat snails is to remove them by hand or to keep ducks. (meaning flower) hence the flower of love.

(b) Spider mites Agapanthus migrated from Africa to England as early as the 1670s where they
still remain popular to this day. They are easy to take care of, needing only
Spider mites are small spider-like creatures with eight legs, which thrive in hot
minimal attention.
and dry conditions. Spider mites use their piercing mouthparts when feeding.
This causes a yellow appearance of the plants and stippling. Leaf drop and 2.2 Description
die-off of plants can occur in the case of heavy infestations. Spider mites can
The Agapanthus flower is a beautiful blue flower that is indigenous to South
multiply quickly. They also produce a web which covers infested leaves and
Africa. This flower can come in either a blue shade or sometimes a more pur-
flowers.
plish hue, depending upon where it is located, whereas its shape varies de-
Control measures pending upon its exact location, however most Agapanthus flowers tend to
have a funnel shape.
Weeds and infested plants should be kept down and removed respectively.
The plants should be watered regularly and sprayed with insecticides. This 2.3 Production areas in South Africa
will reduce the problem.
There are two species of Agapanthus plants, namely, an evergreen species
5.2 Diseases and a deciduous species. Most evergreen species are produced in Western
Cape across the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. The deciduous spe-
The diseases that infect the plants include Botrytis, powdery mildew, tomato
cies come from the summer rainfall areas such as the Eastern Cape, KwaZu-
spotted wilt virus and the fungus Macrophoma.
lu-Natal, Free State, Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces.
(a) Botrytis
Botrytis (Botrytis cinera) is a fungal disease that appears during warm and 3. Climatic and soil requirements
damp weather. It appears as grey or brown lesions on the plant and may at- 3.1 Rainfall
tack the flowers, preventing them from opening. Other symptoms include red
Agapanthus plants occur only in areas where they receive rainfall of more
stripes on the leaves and stems.
than 500 mm per annum, from sea level to 2 000 m with a distribution range
that extends from the Cape Peninsula in the southwest along the southern
and eastern coast of southern Africa then inland and northwards into the
mountainous region south of the Limpopo River.

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3.2 Temperature curved, shiny, green, strap-like leaves, which grow from fleshy, tuberous
roots. Growing from seed is a slow process.
The plants are related to the lily and can be made to grow almost anywhere,
but perform best in arid conditions. They occur in summer rainfall areas e.g. The seed can be sown in late summer to early autumn, but during cold cli-
Limpopo, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal and other provinces where the tem- mates it can be kept refrigerated (not frozen) and sown in spring. It must be
perature sometimes drops below 0 °C in win- kept in the refrigerator in order to prevent it from perishing. Seed should be
ter and snow may occur. In the winter rainfall sown in deep (10 cm) trays with a mixture of equal volumes of river sand and
region of South Africa the plants go dormant fine compost. This mixture must be kept in the semi-shade and moist. Fresh
and are unaffected by the winter rains if they seed germinates easily at 20 to 25 0 °C and the plants are usually ready
have a well-drained site. within six to eight weeks. The seed should be sown thinly as the seedlings will
stay in the tray for their first year. Seedlings should be potted up into individu-
The plants can survive certain winter condi-
al containers during their second year and can be planted into the garden or
tions. However they will not be able to survive
permanent pots in the third year. Flowering can be expected from their third or
a snow-storm or an extreme freeze, many of
fourth year.
these plants are well suited for some cold
weather. 4.3 Planting
The plants grow in the shade from trees to get Rhizomes can be planted at a depth of 2,5 cm with in-raw spacing of 60 cm
protection from the hot sun. They can also be apart and between-raw spacing of 90 cm. The old foliage should be removed
grown in a warm, sheltered position which re- as the new leaves will give the plants neat appearance.
ceives full sun for most of the day. In a hot climate area, the plants do better
4.4 Fertilisation
in partial shade.
The plants should be fertilised in early spring and this should continue until
3.3 Soil requirements
they bloom. The soil should be wet prior to the application of fertiliser. A se-
The plants need a well-drained soil with decayed organic matter. They grow lected fertiliser made for flowering bulb plants
best in a moderately fertile soil. A soil that is too rich promotes soft, lush should be used. Follow the directions on the
growth that is prone to winter damage. It prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil, label according to the size of a planting site.
with pH of between 6,5 and 7,5. Seedling and adult plants responded well to
composted soil and application of a slow re-
4. Cultural practices lease fertilizer.
4.1 Soil preparation 4.5 Irrigation
Firstly, the existing vegetation should be killed off by pre-emergence herbi- The plants should be kept well watered during
cides, removed or smothered before beginning to work on the soil or loosen it the growing season to ensure success. A reg-
and to prepare the flower bed area for planting. This can be done with a tiller ular watering schedule should be followed dur-
or by hand, using a spade and garden fork. If the soil is very compacted or has ing the first growing season to establish a
never been tilled, a tractor can be hired to do the initial passes. Thereafter, a deep, extensive root system. The plants should
lightweight tiller or a spade should be sufficient. be watered when the top 8 cm of soil is dry.
Water weekly in summer but in winter allow the soil; to dry off more between
4.2 Propagation
waterings.
The plants can be propagated by two methods, such as division (root clumps)
4.6 Weed control
and seeds. Root clumps should be divided every 2 to 3 years in early spring.
The suitable time to control weeds is when doing soil preparation. Pre-emer-
Propagation of the plant is generally done by division of the root clumps im-
gence herbicides can be applied for weeds that appear before planting but
mediately after flowering. The plants produce attractive clumps of long,

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